History of the campus

The history of the opening of the branch of the Scottish Heriot-Watt University in Aktobe

The history of the opening of the branch of Heriot-Watt University in Aktobe is a significant development in line with the directive of the Head of State, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, aimed at reforming the higher education system to meet the demands of the economy. This branch was established on the premises of Aktobe Regional University, one of the largest universities in the western region of Kazakhstan.

Heriot-Watt University, with its distinguished history as one of the UK’s oldest technical educational institutions, boasts high international ratings. It consistently ranks among the top 200 universities in the QS world rankings in fields such as mathematics, chemical engineering, construction, electrical engineering, and oil and gas business.

Students from various regions, including Akmolinsk, Atyrau, Western Kazakhstan, Kyzylorda, Mangystau, and Zhetysu, have enrolled in the Aktobe branch of this esteemed institution. The educational process is conducted in English, with the participation of foreign teaching staff.

The branch offers three English-language bachelor’s degree programs: electrical and electronic engineering, petroleum engineering, and energy management, as well as computer engineering. Additionally, students have the opportunity to participate in academic mobility programs at Heriot-Watt University branches located in Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, and Scotland. Graduates receive dual degrees from Heriot-Watt University and Zhubanov University.


Zhamanshin Akylbek

Position: Associate Professor of Heriot-Watt Faculty

Academic degree: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mathematics

Phone: +7(701)2447746

E-mail: akylbek78@mail.ru


Associate Professor, Heriot-Watt International Faculty

Zhazira Bekzhanova

Position: Associate Professor, Heriot-Watt International Faculty

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Email: z.bekzhanova@hw.ac.uk

Address: Aktobe, st. Brothers Zhubanov 263, Heriot-Watt Faculty Building, 306


Coordinator of Heriot-Watt International Faculty

Bakhtiyarova Laura Ruslankyzy

Position: Coordinator  of Heriot-Watt International Faculty

Academic status: MA of  Pedagogy

Academic degree: Master

Phone number: +7 708 7252594

E-mail: lbakhtiyarova@zhubanov.edu.kz

Address: Aktobe city, A. Moldagulova Street 34,EFL Instructor on Foundation Course of Heriot-Watt International Faculty, room 304.


Coordinator of Heriot-Watt International Faculty

Zhumagaliyeva Aisulu Baizhanovna

Position: Coordinator  of Heriot-Watt International Faculty

Academic status: MA of  Pedagogy

Academic degree: Master

Phone number: +7 702 1057204

E-mail: abaizhanovna@zhubanov.edu.kz

Address: Aktobe city, A. Moldagulova Street 34,EFL Instructor on Foundation Course of Heriot-Watt International Faculty, room 304.


Tutor, Heriot-Watt International Faculty

Akkenzhe Trusheva

Position: Tutor, Heriot-Watt International Faculty

Degree: Master of Arts (Foreign Philology)

Email: A.Trusheva@hw.ac.uk

Address: Aktobe, st. Brothers Zhubanov 263, Heriot-Watt Faculty Building, 115


EFL Instructor on Foundation Course of Heriot-Watt International Faculty

Manaliyeva Aida Zhuldanovna

Position: EFL Instructor on Foundation Course of Heriot-Watt International Faculty

Academic status: MA of  Philology

Academic degree: Master

Phone number: +7 708 526 21 70

E-mail: manaliyeva.aida@gmail.com

Address: Aktobe city, A. Moldagulova Street 34,EFL Instructor on Foundation Course of Heriot-Watt International Faculty, classroom 227.


EFL Instructor on Foundation Course of Heriot-Watt International Faculty

Berdaliyeva Dina Akimalikizi

Position: EFL Instructor on Foundation Course of Heriot-Watt International Faculty

Academic status: MA of Foreign Philology

Academic degree: Master

Phone number: +7 7074421415

E-mail: berdalievadina@gmail.com

Address: Aktobe city, A. Moldagulova Street 34, EFL Instructor on Foundation Course of Heriot-Watt International Faculty, classroom 501.


Tutor, Heriot-Watt International Faculty

Olga Furman

Position: Tutor, Heriot-Watt International Faculty

Degree: specialist

Email: o.furman@hw.ac.uk

Address: Aktobe, st. Brothers Zhubanov 263, Heriot-Watt Faculty Building, 309


Tutor, Heriot-Watt International Faculty

Akmaral Orazova

Position: Tutor, Heriot-Watt International Faculty

Degree: Master of Arts (Philology)

Email: A.Orazova@hw.ac.uk

Address: Aktobe, st. Brothers Zhubanov 263, Heriot-Watt Faculty Building, 220


EFL Instructor on Foundation Course of Heriot-Watt International Faculty

Shatanova Aigerim Asylgereykyzy

Position: EFL Instructor on Foundation Course of Heriot-Watt International Faculty

Academic status: MA of Foreign Philology

Academic degree: Master

Phone number: +7 775 209 21 16

E-mail: ai.mukhamedyarova@gmail.com

Address: Aktobe city, A. Moldagulova Street 34, EFL Instructor on Foundation Course of Heriot-Watt International Faculty, classroom 104.


Physics Associate Professor, PhD

DR Bekdaulet Shukirgaliyev

Bachelor: Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, “Astronomy”, Almaty

Master: Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, “Astronomy”, Almaty

PhD: Heidelberg University, Germany

Work experience: Researcher Astronomisches Rechen-Institut at Zentrum fur Astronomie der Universitat Heidelberg (Heidelberg, Germany)

Associate Professor, Astana IT University

Postdoctoral Scholar Nazarbayev University, Energetic Cosmos Laboratory, Astana


Physics Associate Professor, PhD

Zhanturina Nurgul

Bachelor: West Kazakhstan state University named after M. Utemisov, “Mathematics and physics”.

Master’s degree in physics, Aktobe state University named after K. Zhubanov.

 PhD degree in the specialty “Materials science and technology of new materials”, Al-Farabi Kazakh national University.

Work experience: Lecturer at the Department of physics and methods of teaching physics of the West Kazakhstan state University named after M. Utemisov

Director of the Department of science and innovations, ARU named after K. Zhubanov

Assistant professor of Heriot Watt international faculty


Physics teacher, PhD

Kalambay Mukhagali

Bachelor: Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, “Astronomy”, Almaty

Master: Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Physics and Astronomy, Almaty

PhD: Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, “Physics and Astronomy”, Almaty

Work experience: SENIOR LECTURER | AL-FARABI KAZNU, Faculty of Physics and Technology, Department of Solid State and Nonlinear Physics

Research Assistant | Nazarbayev University, Energetic Cosmos Laboratory

Researcher, Fesenkov Astrophysical Institute


ICT teacher, master

Zhilibayev Serik

Bachelor: Nazarbayev University, “Computer Science”, Astana

Master: Nazarbayev University, “Data Science”, Astana

Work experience: Research Assistant | Nazarbayev University, Multimedia Sensor Network Laboratory

QazAI, Data Engineer

EPAM, Data Engineer


ICT teacher, PhD

Irmanova Aidana

Bachelor: Pavlodar State University, “Information Systems”, Pavlodar

Master: Pavlodar State University, “Information Systems”, Pavlodar

PhD: Nazarbayev University, “Engineering” , Astana

Work experience: Assistant, Pavlodar State University, Department of Mathematics and Information SciencePavlodar

Research Assistant, Nazarbayev University, Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, Astana

Postdoctoral Researcher, Nazarbayev University


ICT teacher, PhD

Zhumay Inkar

Bachelor: Almaty University of Power Engineering and Telecommunication, “Radio Engineering”

Master: Almaty University of power engineering and telecommunications, “Radio Engineering”

PhD: Almaty University of power engineering and telecommunications, Institute of Space Technology and Telecommunications

Work experience: Almaty University of power engineering and telecommunications National Center on Scientific and Technical Evaluation (NCSTE)

JSC «KazTransCom»

LLP “Radiobaylanys”

LLP “Mobile Telecom-Service”


Math teacher, PhD

Zhamanshin Akylbek

Phd / Aktobe regional university named after K.Zhubanov, 2017-2020

Postdoc / Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey 2021-2023

Work experience: Aktobe regional university named after K. Zhubanov

A head of the department at the IT center 2004-2017.

A member of the research group of projects of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan


Math teacher, PhD

Zhumagaziyev Amire

Bachelor of Mathematics, K.Zhubanov Aktobe Regional State University

Master of Natural Sciences in Mathematics, K.Zhubanov Aktobe Regional State University

Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics, K.Zhubanov Aktobe Regional University

Work experience: Senior lecturer Sep 2017 – Present K.Zhubanov Aktobe Regional University, Maths Department

Director Apr 2023 – Present K.Zhubanov Aktobe Regional University, Department of Career and Career Guidance


Math teacher, PhD

Mynbayeva Sandugash

Bachelor: K.Zhubanov Aktobe State University, “Mathematics, professional mathematics”

Master: K.Zhubanov Aktobe State University,

“Mathematics, professional mathematics”

PhD: K.Zhubanov Aktobe Regional University Laboratory of sciences

Work experience: Senior Lecturer,  K.Zhubanov Aktobe State University

Senior Lecturer, K.Zhubanov Aktobe Regional University


Chemistry teacher, master

Abilkairova Madina

Bachelor: Al-Farabi Kazakh National University «Chemistry and chemical technology»

Master: Nazarbayev University «Chemical Engineering»

Work experience: Nazarbayev University / Researcher, laboratory assistant, engineer, Astana

Gate inshaat / RA Specialist, Atyrau